Hit ball direction teaching apparatus, hit ball direction teaching method, and hit ball direction teaching system

ABSTRACT

A hit ball direction teaching apparatus includes a target direction acquisition section that acquires a target hit ball direction, an environmental information acquisition section that acquires environmental information, a processing section that obtains a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information, and generates notification data of the delivery direction, and a notification section (display) that performs a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hit ball direction teaching apparatus, a hit ball direction teaching method, and a hit ball direction teaching system.

2. Related Art

In recent years, for example, an apparatus (motion analysis apparatus) has been implemented in which a motion form of a subject (user), such as a swing trajectory using a golf club, a tennis racket, or a baseball bat, is analyzed, and an exercise appliance suitable for the subject is selected or the motion form is improved on the basis of analysis results so that athletic ability of the user can be increased.

In relation to such a motion analysis apparatus, a technique is disclosed in which a timing of ball hitting or a swing trajectory is detected by using a motion sensor, or swing analysis or a hit ball direction is exemplified. For example, JP-A-2004-113440 discloses a golf course data providing system which can acquire approach information from a position of a player (user) to a pin by using a portable information terminal on a golf course.

However, in the golf course data providing system (motion analysis apparatus) disclosed in JP-A-2004-113440, approach information from a position of a player (user) to a pin is referred to by the player, but there is a problem in that a direction in which a golf ball is to be actually delivered differs depending on circumstances such as topography or a wind direction of the golf course.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1

A hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to this application example includes a target direction acquisition section that acquires a target hit ball direction; an environmental information acquisition section that acquires environmental information; a processing section that obtains a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information, and generates notification data of the delivery direction; and a notification section that performs a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data.

According to this application example, the notification section performs a notification of a hit ball delivery direction obtained on the basis of a target hit ball direction and environmental information, and thus a user can obtain information regarding a hit ball delivery direction in which the current environmental situation is taken into consideration.

Application Example 2

In the hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that the notification section includes a display, and the display displays the delivery direction.

According to this application example, a hit ball delivery direction is displayed on the display, and thus a user can easily understand the hit ball delivery direction. The user can use information regarding the displayed hit ball delivery direction as a reference for address of a swing performed from now on or the strength of the swing.

Application Example 3

It is preferable that the hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to the application example further includes an input section that inputs the target hit ball direction.

According to this application example, a user can easily input a target hit ball direction from the input section at all times.

Application Example 4

In the hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that the environmental information is at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction.

According to this application example, it is possible to notify a user of a hit ball delivery direction in which information such as a wind speed or a wind direction as environmental information which has the great influence on a trajectory of a hit ball is taken into consideration.

Application Example 5

In the hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that the display displays at least one of the delivery direction, the wind speed, and the wind direction.

According to this application example, a user can visually recognize and easily understand a delivery direction, and a wind speed or a wind direction which has the great influence on a trajectory of a hit ball, on the display.

Application Example 6

It is preferable that the hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to the application example further includes a map data acquisition section that acquires map data, and the display displays the delivery direction and a map image based on the map data.

According to this application example, since a map image based on map data is displayed, a user can actually easily check a layout or topography of a swing location, and can easily recognize a delivery direction.

Application Example 7

A hit ball direction teaching method according to this application example includes determining a target hit ball direction; acquiring environmental information; obtaining a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information; generating notification data of the delivery direction; and performing a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data.

According to this application example, a notification section notifies a user of a hit ball delivery direction obtained on the basis of an acquired target hit ball direction and environmental information. Consequently, the user can easily obtain information regarding a hit ball delivery direction in which the current environmental situation is taken into consideration.

Application Example 8

In the hit ball direction teaching method according to the application example, it is preferable that the notification data is image data, and, in the performing of a notification, the delivery direction is displayed on the basis of the image data.

According to this application example, a hit ball delivery direction is displayed on the display on the basis of the image data, and thus a user can easily understand the hit ball delivery direction. The user can use information regarding the displayed hit ball delivery direction as a reference for address of a swing performed from now on or the strength of the swing.

Application Example 9

In the hit ball direction teaching method according to the application example, it is preferable that the environmental information is at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction, and, in the performing of a notification, at least one of the delivery direction, the wind speed, and the wind direction is displayed.

According to this application example, a user can visually recognize and easily understand a delivery direction, and a wind speed or a wind direction as environmental information which has the great influence on a trajectory of a hit ball, on a display.

Application Example 10

It is preferable that the hit ball direction teaching method according to the application example further includes acquiring map data, and, in the performing of a notification, the delivery direction of a hit ball based on the image data, and a map image based on the map data are displayed.

According to this application example, since a map image and a hit ball delivery direction are displayed on a display, a user can actually easily check a layout or topography of a swing location, and can use the layout or the topography for a swing.

Application Example 11

A hit ball direction teaching system according to this application example includes a hit ball direction teaching apparatus including a target direction acquisition section that acquires a target hit ball direction, an environmental information acquisition section that acquires environmental information, a position information acquisition section that acquires position information, a processing section that obtains a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information, and generates notification data of the delivery direction, and a notification section that performs a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data; a position information output unit that outputs the position information of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus; and an environmental information output unit that monitors environmental data and outputs the environmental data as the environmental information.

According to this application example, the hit ball direction teaching apparatus forming the hit ball direction teaching system can acquire position information of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus output from the position information output unit and environmental information output from the environmental information output unit. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus can notify a user of a hit ball delivery direction in which the acquired environmental information or position information is taken into consideration. Consequently, the user can easily obtain information regarding the hit ball delivery direction in which the current environmental situation is taken into consideration.

Application Example 12

In the hit ball direction teaching system according to the application example, it is preferable that the notification section includes a display and the display displays the delivery direction, the position information, and the environmental information.

According to this application example, a delivery direction, position information, and environmental information are displayed on the display, and thus a user can easily understand the delivery direction. The user can use information regarding the displayed delivery direction as a reference for address of a swing performed from now on or the strength of the swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a hit ball direction teaching system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hit ball direction teaching apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating configuration examples of a sensor unit and the hit ball direction teaching apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating procedures of Example 1 related to a hit ball direction teaching method.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating procedures of Example 2 related to a hit ball direction teaching method.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a first display procedure of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 2.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a second display procedure of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 2.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a third display procedure of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 2.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating first display related to a display example 1 of a wind direction and a wind speed.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating second display related to a display example 1 of a wind direction and a wind speed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example 2 of a wind direction and a wind speed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example related to teaching of a hit ball delivery direction.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a wind speed measurement method.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wind speed measurement apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating procedures of a wind speed measurement method.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining a wind speed measurement method.

FIG. 15 is a graph for supplementary explanation related to a wind speed measurement method.

FIG. 16A is a graph 1 for explaining a wind speed measurement method.

FIG. 16B is a graph 2 for explaining a wind speed measurement method.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are not intended to improperly limit the content of the invention disclosed in the appended claims. In addition, all constituent elements described below are not essential constituent elements of the invention.

1. Hit Ball Direction Teaching System

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, regarding an example of a hit ball direction teaching system, a description will be made of an example of teaching of a hit golf ball direction in a golf swing. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the hit ball direction teaching system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hit ball direction teaching apparatus.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hit ball direction teaching system 1000 of the present embodiment includes GPS satellites (position information output units) 8, anemometers 9 as environmental information output units, a sensor unit 10, and a hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20. Communication between the sensor unit 10 and the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 may be wireless communication, and may be wired communication. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 is implemented by not only a personal computer 20 a but also various information terminals (client terminals), for example, a portable apparatus 20 b such as a smart phone or a tablet PC, or a wearable terminal such as a head mounted display (HMD) or a wrist apparatus (not illustrated). The hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 may include a swing analysis function (swing analysis apparatus) of performing diagnosis and analysis of a swing on the basis of measured data in the sensor unit 10.

The hit ball direction teaching system 1000 has a function of receiving position information included in electric waves (satellite signals) from the GPS satellites 8 and performing positioning computation (acquisition of position information), and a function of receiving signals from the anemometers 9 which detect, for example, environmental data such as a wind direction or a wind speed and output the environmental data as environmental information, and computing a wind direction and a wind speed. The hit ball direction teaching system 1000 has a function of acquiring a target direction of a hit ball, and obtaining a hit ball delivery direction on the basis of the target direction of the hit ball, and the wind direction and the wind speed (environmental information), and a function of generating notification data of the hit ball delivery direction, and notifying a user of the hit ball delivery direction.

The hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 may be connected to, for example, a server 30 which stores information such as topographic data or course arrangement (course layout) data of a golf course. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 and the server 30 may be connected to each other via a network 40. The network 40 may be a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, and may be a local area network (LAN). Alternatively, the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 and the server 30 may perform communication with each other through, for example, short-range radio communication or wired communication, without using the network 40.

2. Sensor Unit and Hit Ball Direction Teaching Apparatus

With reference to FIG. 3, a description will be made of configuration examples of the sensor unit and the hit ball direction teaching apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating configuration examples of the sensor unit and the hit ball direction teaching apparatus.

In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 10 includes an acceleration sensor 12, an angular velocity sensor 14, a signal processing section 16, and a communication section 18. However, the sensor unit 10 may have a configuration in which some of the constituent elements are deleted or changed as appropriate, or may have a configuration in which other constituent elements are added thereto.

The sensor unit 10 can measure, for example, accelerations in respective axial directions of three axes which are orthogonal to each other, and angular velocities about the respective three axes which are orthogonal to each other, and is attached to, for example, a golf club 3 (refer to FIG. 2) as an exercise appliance. The sensor unit 10 is attached to the golf club (an example of an exercise appliance) 3 so as to match three detection axes (for example, an x axis, a y axis, and a z axis (not illustrated)) intersecting each other (ideally, orthogonal to each other). Specifically, the sensor unit 10 is attached to a part of a shaft 3 s so that, for example, the y axis matches a longitudinal direction of the shaft 3 s of the golf club 3 (a longitudinal direction of the golf club 3), and, for example, the x axis matches a target direction of a hit golf ball 4 (target hit ball direction). The shaft 3 s is a shaft portion other than a head (ball hitting portion) 3 a of the golf club 3 and also includes the grip. However, the sensor unit 10 may be attached to a part (for example, the hand 2 a or a glove) of a user 2, and may be attached to an accessory such as a wristwatch.

The acceleration sensor 12 measures respective accelerations generated in three axial directions which intersect (ideally, orthogonal to) each other, and outputs digital signals (acceleration data) corresponding to magnitudes and directions of the measured accelerations in the respective three axial directions.

The angular velocity sensor 14 measures respective angular velocities generated about three axes which intersect (ideally, orthogonal to) each other, and outputs digital signals (angular velocity data) corresponding to magnitudes and directions of the measured angular velocities in the respective three axial directions.

The signal processing section 16 receives the acceleration data and the angular velocity data from the acceleration sensor 12 and the angular velocity sensor 14, respectively, adds time information thereto, stores the data in a storage portion (not illustrated), adds time information to the stored measured data (acceleration data and angular velocity data) so as to generate packet data conforming to a communication format, and outputs the packet data to the communication section 18. The signal processing section 16 may perform a process of converting the acceleration data and the angular velocity data into data in an xyz coordinate system by using a correction parameter which is calculated in advance according to installation angle errors of the acceleration sensor 12 and the angular velocity sensor 14.

The communication section 18 performs a process of transmitting packet data received from the signal processing section 16 to the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20, or a process of receiving various control commands such as a measurement start command from the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 and sending the control commands to the signal processing section 16. The signal processing section 16 performs various processes corresponding to control commands.

In the present embodiment, the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 is configured to include a processing section 21, a communication section 22, an operation section 23 as an input section, a storage section 24, a display 25 as a notification section, a sound output section 26 as a notification section, a communication section 27, a target direction acquisition section 41, an environmental information acquisition section 42, a position information acquisition section 43, and a map data acquisition section 44. However, the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 may have a configuration in which some of the constituent elements are deleted or changed as appropriate, or may have a configuration in which other constituent elements are added thereto.

The processing section 21 performs a process of transmitting a control command to the sensor unit 10 via the communication section 22, or various computation processes on data which is received from the sensor unit 10 via the communication section 22, according to various programs. The processing section 21 may perform an analysis process on various pieces of data acquired by the target direction acquisition section 41, the environmental information acquisition section 42, the position information acquisition section 43, the map data acquisition section 44, and the like, and may store analysis results in the storage section 24 as, for example, hit ball delivery direction data or environmental information data, according to various programs. The processing section 21 may perform a process of reading data such as hit ball delivery direction data, swing analysis data, and map data from the storage section 24, and transmitting the data to the server 30 via the communication section 27, according to various programs. The processing section 21 may generate, for example, display data as notification data of a delivery direction, and may output the display data to the display 25 as a notification section, according to various programs. The processing section 21 may perform other various control processes, and details thereof will be described later.

The communication section 22 performs a process of receiving packet data transmitted from the sensor unit 10 and sending the packet data to the processing section 21, or a process of transmitting a control command from the processing section 21 to the sensor unit 10.

The operation section 23 as an input section performs a process of acquiring operation data from the user 2 and sending the operation data to the processing section 21. The operation section 23 may be, for example, a touch panel type display, a button, a key, or a microphone.

The storage section 24 includes, for example, a read only memory (ROM) 230, a random access memory (RAM) 240, and a nonvolatile memory 250. The storage section 24 may include various IC memories, or a recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory card. The storage section 24 stores a program for the processing section 21 performing various calculation processes or a control process, or various programs or data for realizing application functions.

The ROM 230 stores a program for the processing section 21 performing various calculation processes or a control process, or various programs or data for realizing application functions. The RAM 240 is used as a work area of the processing section 21, and temporarily stores a program or data which is read from the ROM 230, data which is input from the operation section 23, results of calculation executed by the processing section 21 according to various programs or application functions. The nonvolatile memory 250 may store, for example, a swing analysis program for performing a swing analysis process, or a processing program for processing environmental information.

In the present embodiment, the storage section 24 stores a swing analysis program which is read by the processing section 21 and is used to perform a swing analysis process. The swing analysis program may be stored in a nonvolatile recording medium (computer readable recording medium). The swing analysis program may be received by the processing section 21 from the server 30 via the network 40 so as to be stored in the storage section 24.

For example, the user 2 may operate the operation section 23 as an input section so as to input a target hit ball arrival position or a target hit ball direction from an input screen illustrated in FIG. 5, as a target hit ball arrival position 32 or a target hit ball direction 33 which is input. As mentioned above, the user 2 can normally and easily input the target hit ball arrival position 32 or the target hit ball direction 33 via the operation section 23 as an input section.

The storage section 24 is used as a work area of the processing section 21, and temporarily stores data which is acquired by the operation section 23, results of calculation executed by the processing section 21 according to various programs, and the like. The storage section 24 may store data which is required to be preserved for a long period of time among pieces of data generated through processing in the processing section 21.

The display 25 as an example of a notification section displays a processing result in the processing section 21 as text, a graph, a table, animation, and other images. The display 25 may be, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touch panel type display, and a head mounted display (HMD). A single touch panel type display may realize functions of the operation section 23 and the display 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the display 25 displays, as image information, a ball hitting position 31, the target hit ball arrival position 32, the target hit ball direction 33, wind force information 34 indicating at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed as environmental information, and a hit ball delivery direction 35 based on the wind force information 34, in response to an instruction from the processing section 21. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 1, and illustrates a display screen (display 25) of the portable apparatus 20 b such as a smart phone or a tablet PC. The display 25 may display the hit ball delivery direction 35, and the wind force information 34 regarding at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction. Consequently, the user 2 can visually recognize and understand the delivery direction 35 and a wind speed or a wind direction which has the great influence on a trajectory of a hit ball on the display 25.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the target hit ball direction 33 is indicated by an arrow connecting the ball hitting position 31 to the target hit ball arrival position 32. In the wind force information 34, a wind direction may be indicated by a direction of an arrow, and a wind speed may be indicated by a thickness or a length of the arrow. Specifically, it is indicated that a wind speed is high by increasing a width (thickness) of an arrow or increasing a length of an arrow. A wind speed may be indicated by a numerical value. The wind force information 34 may include at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed.

The user 2 may define a delivery direction and hit a ball on the basis of the displayed hit ball delivery direction 35. In FIG. 5, the wind force information 34 and the hit ball delivery direction 35 are displayed, but only the hit ball delivery direction 35 may be displayed without the wind force information 34 being displayed.

The hit ball delivery direction 35 is displayed as the above-described image on the display 25, and thus the user 2 can easily understand a hit ball delivery direction. The user 2 may use the display (information) of the hit ball delivery direction 35 displayed as the image, as a reference for address of a swing performed from now on or the strength of the swing.

Regarding a function of the operation section 23 (input section) in the display 25, the display content may be switched, or be enlarged or reduced by touching the display 25 (touching a screen). As mentioned above, designation of the display content is performed on the operation section 23 provided in the display 25 so that an instruction can be directly given, and thus the instruction can be reliably and easily given.

The sound output section 26 as an example of a notification section outputs a processing result (analysis information) in the processing section 21 so as to present the processing result as sound information such as a voice or a buzzer sound. The sound output section 26 may be, for example, a speaker or a buzzer. For example, a notification of a hit ball delivery direction may be performed through a combination between image display in the display 25 and sound information such as a voice or a buzzer sound in the sound output section 26.

The communication section 27 performs data communication with the server 30 (refer to FIG. 1) via the network 40. For example, the communication section 27 performs a process of receiving information such as swing analysis information related to a swing of the user 2 or course layout information from the server 30, and sending the information to the processing section 21.

The target direction acquisition section 41 acquires a target hit ball direction in a swing of the user 2. The target hit ball direction is calculated on the basis of data such as a direction displayed on the display 25 or a detection result in an azimuth sensor (not illustrated), and data such as a ball hitting position or a target hit ball arrival position which is input via the operation section 23. The target direction acquisition section 41 outputs data related to the calculated target hit ball direction to the processing section 21.

The environmental information acquisition section 42 acquires environmental information (for example, a wind direction or a wind speed) which is acquired by the anemometer 9 as an environmental information detection section and is output from an environmental information output unit 90. The environmental information acquisition section 42 processes the acquired environmental information so as to output, for example, as environmental data indicating a wind direction or the magnitude of a wind speed to the processing section 21.

The position information acquisition section 43 receives position information included in electric waves (satellite signals) from the GPS satellites 8 as position information output units, performs positioning computation (acquires position information), and calculates the current position data of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20. The position information acquisition section 43 outputs the obtained current position data to the processing section 21.

The map data acquisition section 44 acquires, for example, topographic data or arrangement layout data of a golf course stored in the server 30 or the storage section 24 via the network 40, and generates map data. The map data acquisition section 44 outputs the generated map data to the processing section 21.

As some processes have been described, the processing section 21 may perform various control processes. Hereinafter, the processing section 21 will be described in detail.

The processing section 21 executes various programs so as to function as a data acquisition portion 210, a swing analysis portion 211, an image data generation portion 212, an environmental information processing portion 213, a hit ball direction processing portion 214, a map data processing portion 215, a display processing portion 216, and a sound output processing portion 217. The processing section 21 functions as a computer.

Particularly, in the present embodiment, by executing various analysis programs, the processing section 21 functions as the data acquisition portion 210, the swing analysis portion 211, the image data generation portion 212, the environmental information processing portion 213, the hit ball direction processing portion 214, the map data processing portion 215, the display processing portion 216, and the sound output processing portion 217, and performs a process of analyzing a swing action of the user 2 or generating hit ball delivery direction data.

The data acquisition portion 210 performs a process of receiving packet data which is received from the sensor unit 10 by the communication section 22, acquiring time information and measured data from the received packet data, and sending the time information and the measured data to the storage section 24.

The swing analysis portion 211 performs a process of analyzing a swing action (a plurality of swings) of the user 2 by using the measured data (the measured data stored in the storage section 24) output from the sensor unit 10, the data from the operation section 23, or the like, so as to generate swing analysis data including information regarding a swing action analysis result.

The image data generation portion 212 performs a process of generating image data corresponding to an image displayed on the display 25. For example, the image data generation portion 212 generates image data corresponding to, for example, the display image illustrated in FIG. 5, on the basis of various pieces of information received by the data acquisition portion 210, or information (data) processed by the environmental information processing portion 213, the hit ball direction processing portion 214, and the map data processing portion 215.

The image data generation portion 212 performs a process of generating display data such as image data corresponding to, for example, the displayed image illustrated in FIG. 5. The image data generation portion 212 generates image data for image display of the hit ball delivery direction 35 or the target hit ball arrival position 32 on the basis of, for example, data processed in the environmental information processing portion 213 or the hit ball direction processing portion 214.

The environmental information processing portion 213 performs data processing for calculating a hit ball delivery direction on the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition section 42, for example, a wind direction or a wind speed, so as to generate environmental information data. The environmental information data is processed by the hit ball direction processing portion 214 along with the data for displaying the target hit ball direction 33 or the target hit ball arrival position 32, and becomes data for displaying the hit ball delivery direction 35.

The display processing portion 216 performs a process of displaying various images (including text, symbols, and the like in addition to an image corresponding to the image data generated by the image data generation portion 212 or map image data generated by the map data processing portion 215) on the display 25. For example, the display processing portion 216 displays image information indicating the ball hitting position 31, the target hit ball arrival position 32, the target hit ball direction 33, the wind force information 34 indicating a wind direction and a wind speed as environmental information, and the hit ball delivery direction 35 based on the wind force information 34, illustrated in FIG. 5, on the display 25, on the basis of the image data generated by the image data generation portion 212. The display processing portion 216 may display, for example, image information indicating a course layout image or a topographic image as illustrated in FIG. 7A on the basis of map image data generated by the map data processing portion 215.

The display processing portion 216 may display a comment on the display 25 along with various images displayed as images. The comment may be information regarding the hit ball delivery direction 35 or information showing a practice method based on swing diagnosis information.

The sound output processing portion 217 performs a process of outputting various sounds (including voices, buzzer sounds, and the like) from the sound output section 26. For example, the sound output processing portion 217 may output a sound for notifying the user 2 of permission of swing starting from the sound output section 26. For example, the sound output processing portion 217 may output a sound or a voice indicating the wind force information 34 regarding a wind direction and a wind speed as environmental information from the sound output section 26.

A vibration mechanism may be provided as an example of a notification section in the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 or the sensor unit 10, and various pieces of information may be converted into vibration pieces of information by the vibration mechanism so as to be notified to the user 2.

3. Hit Ball Direction Teaching Method

The user 2 determines a hit ball delivery direction according to predefined procedures prior to a swing action of hitting the golf ball 4. Hereinafter, in the hit ball direction teaching method, a description will be made of Example 1 and Example 2 regarding procedures of determining a hit ball delivery direction. In the following description, the reference numerals used for the description of the configuration of the above-described hit ball direction teaching system 1000 or the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 are used.

3.1 Example 1

First, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, procedures in Example 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating procedures in Example 1 related to the hit ball direction teaching method. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 1. In the hit ball direction teaching method related to Example 1, a hit ball delivery direction in which a wind direction and a wind speed as an example of environmental information are taken into consideration is displayed on the display 25 before ball hitting.

The hit ball direction teaching method related to Example 1 includes at least step S102 of determining a target hit ball direction, step S104 of acquiring environmental information, step S106 of calculating a hit ball delivery direction, step S108 of generating notification data (display data), and step S110 of performing a notification (display) of the hit ball delivery direction.

First, if a series of procedure is started by the user 2, the processing section 21 of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 acquires the current position data acquired by the position information acquisition section 43. Next, the user 2 operates the operation section 23 as an input section so as to input the target hit ball arrival position 32 for the ball hitting position 31 as illustrated in FIG. 5, and thus determines the target hit ball direction 33 displayed as the arrow (step S102).

Next, the processing section 21 of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 acquires information regarding a wind direction and a wind speed as environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition section 42 (step S104). The processing section 21 performs data processing for calculating a hit ball delivery direction on the basis of information regarding at least one of the acquired wind direction and wind speed, so as to generate environmental information data.

Next, the processing section 21 calculates data related to the hit ball delivery direction in which a wind direction or a wind speed is taken into consideration on the basis of data related to a target hit ball direction and data related to the environmental information data which is generated by using the information regarding the wind direction or the wind speed (step S106).

Next, the image data generation portion 212 of the processing section 21 generates image data (notification data) corresponding to an image to be displayed on the display 25 of the portable apparatus 20 b such as a smart phone or a tablet PC (step S108). Specifically, the image data generation portion 212 generates, for example, image data for displaying the target hit ball direction 33 illustrated in FIG. 5, image data for displaying the hit ball delivery direction 35, and image data (notification data) for displaying the wind force information 34 indicating a wind direction or a wind speed on the basis of environmental information data.

Next, the processing section 21 displays (performs a notification of) the target hit ball direction 33, the hit ball delivery direction 35, and the wind force information 34 on the display 25 on the basis of the image data (notification data) (step S110). Here, the target hit ball direction 33, the hit ball delivery direction 35, and the wind force information 34 are preferably displayed by using symbols such as arrows. In the wind force information 34, a wind direction may be indicated by a direction of an arrow, and the magnitude of a wind speed may be indicated by a thickness or a length of the arrow.

At least the target hit ball direction 33 and the hit ball delivery direction 35 are displayed on the display 25. The target hit ball direction 33 and the hit ball delivery direction 35 are displayed, and thus the user 2 can accurately understand a hit ball delivery direction of the user.

In step S110 of performing display (notification) on the display 25, the hit ball delivery direction 35, and the wind force information 34 regarding at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction are preferably displayed on the display 25 as images. With such display, the user 2 can visually recognize and easily understand the delivery direction 35 and a wind speed or a wind direction which has the great influence on a trajectory of a hit ball as environmental information on the display 25 as images.

According to the hit ball direction teaching method related to the above-described Example 1, the user 2 can easily obtain information regarding the hit ball delivery direction 35 in which the current environmental situation (a wind direction or a wind speed) is taken into consideration, on the basis of the target hit ball direction 33, the hit ball delivery direction 35, and the wind force information 34 which are displayed (of which a notification is performed) on the display 25 as a notification section.

According to the hit ball direction teaching method related to the above-described Example 1, the user 2 can visually recognize and easily understand the hit ball delivery direction 35 and a wind speed or a wind direction (wind force information 34) which has the great influence on a trajectory of a hit ball as environmental information on the display 25 as images.

3.2 Example 2

First, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7C, procedures in Example 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating procedures in Example 2 related to the hit ball direction teaching method. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a first display procedure of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 2. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a second display procedure of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 2. FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a third display procedure of a hit ball delivery direction related to Example 2. In the following description, the reference numerals used for the description of the configuration of the above-described hit ball direction teaching system 1000 or the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 are used.

In the hit ball direction teaching method related to Example 2, a hit ball delivery direction in which a wind direction and a wind speed as an example of environmental information are taken into consideration, and map information such as a course layout are displayed on the display 25 before ball hitting.

The hit ball direction teaching method related to Example 2 includes at least step S100 of acquiring map data, step S101 of generating map image data and displaying a map image, step S102 of determining a target hit ball direction, step S104 of acquiring environmental information, step S106 of calculating a hit ball delivery direction, step S108 of generating notification data (display data), and step S110 of performing a notification (display) of the hit ball delivery direction.

First, if a series of procedure is started by the user 2, the processing section 21 of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 acquires the current position data acquired by the position information acquisition section 43.

Next, the processing section 21 acquires map data such as arrangement layout data or topographic data of a golf course from the map data acquisition section 44 (step S100). The processing section 21 generates map image data on the basis of the acquired map data, and displays as a map image 36 indicating an arrangement layout of the golf course as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 7A on the display 25 (step S101).

Next, the user 2 operates the operation section 23 as an input section so as to input the target hit ball arrival position 32 for the ball hitting position 31 as illustrated in FIG. 7A, and thus determines the target hit ball direction 33 displayed as the arrow on the display 25 of the portable apparatus 20 b such as a smart phone or a tablet PC (step S102).

Next, the processing section 21 of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 acquires information regarding a wind direction and a wind speed as environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition section 42 (step S104). The processing section 21 performs data processing for calculating a hit ball delivery direction on the basis of information regarding at least one of the acquired wind direction and wind speed, so as to generate environmental information data. The processing section 21 generates image data on the basis of the environmental information data, and displays as the wind force information 34 indicating a wind direction or a wind speed overlapping the map image 36 on the display 25 as illustrated in FIG. 7B. In the wind force information 34, a wind direction may be indicated by a direction of an arrow, and the magnitude of a wind speed may be indicated by the magnitude of a width (thickness) or the magnitude of a length of an arrow.

Next, the processing section 21 calculates data related to the hit ball delivery direction in which a wind direction or a wind speed is taken into consideration on the basis of data related to a target hit ball direction and the environmental information data which is generated by using the information regarding the wind direction or the wind speed (step S106).

Next, the image data generation portion 212 of the processing section 21 generates image data (notification data) corresponding to an image to be displayed on the display 25 of the portable apparatus 20 b such as a smart phone or a tablet PC (step S108). Specifically, the image data generation portion 212 generates, for example, image data for displaying the target hit ball direction 33 illustrated in FIG. 7C, image data for displaying the hit ball delivery direction 35, and image data (notification data) for displaying the wind force information 34 indicating a wind direction or a wind speed on the basis of environmental information data.

Next, the processing section 21 displays (performs a notification of) the hit ball delivery direction 35 overlapping the map image 36 on the display 25 on the basis of the image data (notification data) as illustrated in FIG. 7C (step S110). At least the target hit ball direction 33 and the hit ball delivery direction 35 are displayed on the display 25. The target hit ball direction 33 and the hit ball delivery direction 35 are displayed, and thus the user 2 can accurately understand the hit ball delivery direction 35. As illustrated in FIG. 7C, a hit ball estimated trajectory 38 may be displayed on the display 25.

According to the hit ball direction teaching method related to the above-described Example 2, the target hit ball direction 33, the hit ball delivery direction 35, the wind force information 34, and the map image (map information) 36 are displayed (a notification thereof is performed) on the display 25. Therefore, the user 2 can determine a delivery direction of the golf ball 4 and can use the determined delivery direction for a swing by taking into consideration the current environmental situation (a wind direction or a wind speed) while referring to a layout or topography of a swing location.

In the procedures in the above-described Example 1 or Example 2, a description has been made of an example of a method in which a notification of the target hit ball direction 33, the hit ball delivery direction 35, or the like is performed through image display on the display 25 as an example of a notification section, but a notification is not limited to image display. For example, a notification of information regarding a hit ball delivery direction or wind force information may be performed by using sound information from the sound output section 26 as an example of a notification section. A notification may be performed through a combination between image information and sound information.

3.3 Other Display Examples

Hereinafter, other display examples on the above-described display 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9 and 10. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating first display related to a display example 1 of a wind direction and a wind speed. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating second display related to a display example 1 of a wind direction and a wind speed. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example 2 of a wind direction and a wind speed. FIG. 10 shows a diagram illustrating a display example related to teaching of a hit ball delivery direction. In the following description, the reference numerals used for the description of the configuration of the above-described hit ball direction teaching system 1000 or the hit ball direction teaching apparatus 20 are used.

3.3.1 Display Example 1 Regarding Wind Direction and Wind Speed

First, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a description will be made of a display example 1 regarding a wind direction and a wind speed. In the display example 1 illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, information (environmental data) regarding wind directions or wind speeds at the same elevation as that of a ball hitting position (address position) of the user 2, or wind directions or wind speeds at a predetermined height (overhead) with a ball hitting position of the user 2 as a reference is displayed as an image on the display 25.

In the first display of the display example 1 of a wind direction and a wind speed illustrated in FIG. 8A, pieces of wind force information indicating wind directions and wind speeds at a plurality of positions of 10 m above from a ball hitting position of the user 2 are respectively indicated by arrows 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d. In the first display related to the display example 1 illustrated in FIG. 8A, the map image 36 is displayed on the display 25, and wind directions and wind speeds at the plurality of positions are represented by differences between directions and lengths of the arrows 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d, and are displayed to overlap the map image 36 as images. A height setting portion 51 which can set a height at which a wind direction and a wind speed are displayed is provided at one side of a frame of the display 25, a height can be varied (set) with two instruction buttons 53 a and 53 b, and the illustrated example shows a height of 10 m (10 m above) at which a height display portion 52 is located. The wind speeds may be represented by differences between thicknesses of the arrows 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d, and, for example, as the arrows 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d are thickened, wind speeds are heightened.

In the second display of the display example 1 of a wind direction and a wind speed illustrated in FIG. 8B, pieces of wind force information indicating wind directions and wind speeds at a plurality of positions of 30 m above from a ball hitting position of the user 2 are respectively indicated by arrows 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d. In the second display related to the display example 1 illustrated in FIG. 8B, the map image 36 is displayed on the display 25 in the same manner as in the first display, and wind directions and wind speeds at the plurality of positions are represented by differences between directions and lengths of the arrows 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d, and are displayed to overlap the map image 36 as images.

In the same manner as in the first display, a height setting portion 51 which can set a height at which a wind direction and a wind speed are displayed is provided at one side of a frame of the display 25, a height can be varied (set) with two instruction buttons 53 a and 53 b, and the illustrated example shows a height of 30 m (30 m above) at which a height display portion 52 is located. The arrows 55 a, 55 b, 55 c and 55 d in the second display (30 m above) related to the display example 1 illustrated in FIG. 8B are longer than the 54 a, 54 b, 54 c and 54 d in the first display (10 m above) related to the display example 1 illustrated in FIG. 8A, and thus the second display (30 m above) indicates that wind speeds are higher.

According to the display example 1, the user 2 can set any height, display a wind direction or a wind speed at the height, and understand the influence of a wind direction or a wind speed in the process of a trajectory (flight) of the delivered golf ball 4.

3.3.2 Display Example 2 Regarding Wind Direction and Wind Speed

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a description will be made of a display example 2 regarding a wind direction and a wind speed. In the display example 2 illustrated in FIG. 9, information (environmental data) regarding wind directions or wind speeds at the same elevation as that of a ball hitting position of the user 2, or wind directions or wind speeds at a predetermined height (overhead) with a ball hitting position of the user 2 as a reference is displayed on the display 25 by arrows 56 a, 56 b and 56 c displayed as flow lines.

Also in the display example 2, in the same manner as in the display example 1, the user 2 can set any height, display a wind direction or a wind speed at the height, and understand the influence of a wind direction or a wind speed in the process of a trajectory (flight) of the delivered golf ball.

3.3.3 Display Example Related to Teaching of Hit Ball Delivery Direction

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be made of a display example related to teaching of a hit ball delivery direction. In a display example illustrated in FIG. 10, a trajectory 58 a in a planar direction is estimated by taking into consideration pieces of information (environmental data) 57 a to 57 f regarding wind directions or wind speeds measured by a plurality of measurement points (the anemometers 9 as environmental information output units) at passing height positions of the golf ball 4 with respect to a hit ball estimated trajectory 58 b based on a selected golf club, and a hit ball delivery direction 59 which is set according to the estimated trajectory 58 a is displayed on the display 25 as an image. Such estimation of a trajectory of the golf ball 4 may be performed as follows, and is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2005-278797.

Drag D, lift L, and gravity mg act on the flying golf ball 4. In this case, a motion equation of the golf ball 4 in a horizontal (x) direction is expressed by the following Equation (1). A motion equation of the golf ball 4 in a vertical (y) direction is expressed by the following Equation (2). In the following Equations (1) and (2), m indicates mass of the golf ball 4, and θ indicates a flight angle or a hitting angle. The flight angle (hitting angle) θ is expressed by the following Equation (3). The drag D in Equations (1) and (2) is expressed by the following Equation (4), and the lift L is expressed by the following Equation (5). In the following Equations (4) and (5), U indicates a speed of the golf ball 4. The speed U of the golf ball 4 is expressed by the following Equation (6). In the following Equations (4) and (5), CD is a drag coefficient, CL is a lift coefficient, and ρ is density of air. As the density ρ of air, a value at a temperature of 20° C. and the atmospheric pressure of 1 (1.013 kPa) is used.

$\begin{matrix} {{m\frac{d^{2}x}{{dt}^{2}}} = {{{- {D(t)}}\cos \; {\theta (t)}} - {{L(t)}\sin \; {\theta (t)}}}} & (1) \\ {{m\frac{d^{2}y}{{dt}^{2}}} = {{{- {D(t)}}\sin \mspace{11mu} {\theta (t)}} + {{L(t)}\cos \mspace{11mu} {\theta (t)}} - {mg}}} & (2) \\ {\theta = {\tan^{- 1}\frac{\left( \frac{dy}{dt} \right)}{\left( \frac{dx}{dt} \right)}}} & (3) \\ {D = {C_{D}A\frac{\rho \; {U^{2}(t)}}{2}}} & (4) \\ {L = {C_{L}A\frac{\rho \; {U^{2}(t)}}{2}}} & (5) \\ {U = \sqrt{\left( \frac{dx}{dt} \right)^{2} + \left( \frac{dy}{dt} \right)^{2}}} & (6) \end{matrix}$

An initial speed right after the golf ball 4 is hit, a hitting angle right after the golf ball is hit, and a backspin amount right after the golf ball is hit (the initial speed right after the golf ball is hit, the hitting angle right after the golf ball 4 is hit, and the backspin amount right after the golf ball is hit are collectively referred to as initial trajectory characteristic values), and a carry and the flight time of the golf ball are measured. An average drag coefficient during flight of the golf ball and an average lift coefficient during flight are calculated so that the carry and the flight time of the golf ball 4 are included in predetermined error ranges with respect to predetermined values by using the above Equations (1) to (6) on the basis of the measurement results, and a trajectory of the golf ball is calculated.

A drag coefficient and a lift coefficient during flight of the golf ball 4 are changed by a speed and a spin amount of the golf ball. However, in the present embodiment, the drag coefficient CD and the lift coefficient CL from ball hitting to landing are treated as constants without being varied, and are used as an average drag coefficient and an average lift coefficient. A projection area A of the golf ball 4 and the density ρ of air are also treated as constants. As mentioned above, a trajectory of the golf ball 4 can be calculated by measuring the initial trajectory characteristic values, the carry, and the flight time.

In the display example illustrated in FIG. 10, the map image 36 indicating a golf course is displayed on an upper part, and the ball hitting position 31, the target hit ball arrival position 32, the target hit ball direction 33, the pieces of information (environmental data) 57 a to 57 f regarding wind directions or wind speeds measured by a plurality of measurement points (the anemometers 9 as environmental information output units), and the hit ball delivery direction 59 are displayed in an overlapping manner. In the display example illustrated in FIG. 10, the estimated trajectory 58 b in the height direction and bar graphs of the pieces of information (environmental data) 57 a to 57 f regarding wind speeds at the respective measurement points are displayed on the lower part thereof.

In such a display example related to teaching of a hit ball delivery direction, the estimated trajectory 58 b of a selected golf club is displayed, and thus the user 2 can visually recognize and understand the influence of a wind direction or a wind speed on a trajectory in more detail.

4. Wind Speed Measurement Apparatus as Environmental Information Output Unit and Wind Speed Measurement Method

In the above-described hit ball direction teaching system 1000, in order to acquire, for example, a wind direction or a wind speed, a description has been made of an example of a configuration using the anemometer 9 as an environmental information output unit provided in a golf course, but an environmental information output unit is not limited to the anemometer 9. For example, a wind speed measurement method using a wind speed measurement apparatus 200 as an environmental information output unit described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16B may be employed.

Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a wind speed measurement method. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wind speed measurement apparatus. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating procedures of a wind speed measurement method. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining a wind speed measurement method. FIG. 15 is a graph for supplementary explanation related to a wind speed measurement method. FIG. 16A is a graph 1 for explaining a wind speed measurement method. FIG. 16B is a graph 2 for explaining a wind speed measurement method. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described hit ball direction teaching system 1000 will be described by using the same reference numerals.

4.1 Overview of Wind Speed Measurement Apparatus

The wind speed measurement apparatus 200 as an environmental information output unit includes, as illustrated in FIG. 12, for example, a falling body 60 which falls from any height such as the hand of the user 2 and detects acceleration, and a calculation device 70 which calculates a wind speed on the basis of the acceleration detected by the falling body 60. Communication between the falling body 60 and the calculation device 70 may be wireless communication, and may be wired communication. Although not illustrated, the calculation device 70 is implemented by various information terminals (client terminals) such as a personal computer, a portable device such as a smart phone or a tablet PC, or a wearable terminal such as a head mounted display (HMD) or a wrist device.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, if an object (falling body 60) which free-falls from a position of a height h receives a horizontal wind of a wind speed v, the object flows due to the horizontal wind, thus does not fall vertically onto the ground, and falls at a position of a falling body 60 b deviated by a flowing distance (hereinafter, referred to as a “flight distance L”) from a vertically falling position 60 a in a case where the object vertically falls. In other words, the flight distance L is a distance between the vertically falling position 60 a of the falling body 60 and the falling body 60 b which receives the horizontal wind of the wind speed v and has fallen. The wind speed measurement apparatus 200 of the present embodiment obtains the wind speed v at this time on the basis of the falling height h to the vertically falling position 60 a estimated by using acceleration detected by the falling body 60 and the flight distance L.

4.2 Falling Body

The falling body 60 includes an acceleration sensor (X) 61, an acceleration sensor (Y) 62, and an acceleration sensor (Z) 63 which respectively measure accelerations in axial directions of three axes which intersect (ideally, orthogonal to) each other, a control section 64 which performs various control processes, a communication section 65 which transmits a measurement result of acceleration to the calculation device 70, and a power source section 67 in a casing (not illustrated). The falling body 60 can measure accelerations in axial directions of three axes which are orthogonal to each other. The casing (not illustrated) may have any shape as long as acceleration can be measured in free falling, and may have, for example, a thin plate shape, or may have a configuration in which wings are provided on a main body. However, the falling body 60 may have a configuration in which some of the constituent elements are deleted or changed as appropriate, or may have a configuration in which other constituent elements are added thereto.

The acceleration sensor (X) 61, the acceleration sensor (Y) 62, and the acceleration sensor (Z) 63 respectively measure accelerations generated in three axial directions which intersect (ideally, orthogonal to) each other, and output digital signals (acceleration data) corresponding to magnitudes and directions of the measured three-axis accelerations.

The control section 64 includes an acceleration measurement portion 66, and performs a process related to measurement of acceleration, generation and output of data, and various control processes. The acceleration measurement portion 66 processes the acceleration data measured by the acceleration sensor (X) 61, the acceleration sensor (Y) 62, and the acceleration sensor (Z) 63, generates packet data with a communication format as data including temporal changes or the like of the accelerations, and outputs the packet data to the communication section 65.

The communication section 65 performs a process of transmitting the packet data received from the acceleration measurement portion 66 to the calculation device 70. The transmission here is more preferably performed through wireless communication using, for example, electric waves or ultraviolet rays, but may be performed through wired communication.

The power source section 67 may be formed of a primary battery or a secondary battery. The power source section 67 supplies power to the control section 64 and the communication section 65.

4.3 Calculation Device

The calculation device 70 includes a processing section 75 and a display 76 which displays information such as a calculated wind speed. The calculation device 70 has a function of calculating a wind speed on the basis of acceleration data detected by the falling body 60, and displays the wind speed on the display 76. However, the calculation device 70 may have a configuration in which some of the constituent elements are deleted or changed as appropriate, or may have a configuration in which other constituent elements are added thereto.

The processing section 75 includes a distance computation portion 71, a wind speed computation portion 72, a table storage portion 73, and a display processing portion 74. The processing section 75 performs a computation process on the acceleration data received from the falling body 60 so as to obtain a wind speed, and displays the wind speed on the display 76 (performs a notification of the wind speed).

The distance computation portion 71 obtains the flight distance L and the falling height h on the basis of temporal changes of the accelerations measured by the acceleration sensor (X) 61, the acceleration sensor (Y) 62, and the acceleration sensor (Z) 63.

The wind speed computation portion 72 may obtain the wind speed v by checking the flight distance L indicating to what extent the falling body 60 flows, obtained by the distance computation portion 71, the falling height h of the falling body 60 in the vertical direction with a wind speed calculation table 77 stored in the table storage portion 73 with each other.

The table storage portion 73 stores the wind speed calculation table 77. The wind speed calculation table 77 is a table indicating a correlation among parameters such as the flight distance L, the falling height h, and the wind speed v, regarding to which extent the falling body 60 flows due to a wind speed, by taking into consideration a shape or mass of the falling body 60 (casing), air resistance, or the like.

The display processing portion 74 may generate display data for displaying (digitally displaying) the wind speed v obtained by the wind speed computation portion 72 on the display 76 as an image, and output the display data to the display 76. The wind speed v may be represented by using, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and by changing the number of LEDs to be lighted or the brightness thereof, instead of image display. In this case, the display processing portion 74 may generate instruction data related to the number of LEDs to be lighted or the brightness thereof indicating the wind speed v, and may output the instruction data to the display 76.

The display 76 displays the wind speed v obtained by the wind speed computation portion 72 as text, a graph, and other images. The display 76 is, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a touch panel type display. The display 76 may perform a notification according to a method of changing the number of LEDs to be lighted or the brightness thereof, instead of an image display method.

There may be a configuration in which the display 76 is not provided in the calculation device 70 but is provided in the falling body 60. In this case, detection of acceleration to display thereof can be completed in the falling body 60, and thus convenience can be further improved.

4.4 Wind Speed Measurement Method

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16B, a description will be made of a motion analysis method of the present embodiment. In the following description, the reference numerals used in the constituent elements of the wind speed measurement apparatus 200 are used.

In the wind speed measurement method of the present embodiment, as in the schematic diagram of FIG. 14, a position where the falling body 60 is released from the hand of the user 2 is set as the origin O, the vertical direction is set as a Z direction, and two axial directions which are orthogonal to the vertical direction (Z direction) are set to an X direction and a Y direction. A height from the origin O to the ground on which the falling body 60 lands is set as the falling height h. The wind in this case is assumed to blow as a horizontal wind of the wind speed v in a positive direction (horizontal direction) along an XY plane. In this case, the falling body 60 is caused to flow due to the horizontal wind of the wind speed v, and lands onto the ground (in FIG. 14, displayed as the falling body 60 b) at a position of the flight distance L in the horizontal direction from the origin O. In this state, the wind speed v obtained in a case where the falling body 60 is released from the hand of the user 2 at an initial speed of 0 (zero) is measured (estimated).

Regarding procedures of the wind speed measurement method of the present embodiment, as illustrated in a flowchart of FIG. 13, first, the user 2 releases the falling body 60 from the hand thereof so that the falling body 60 falls (step S201). The falling body 60 which is falling sets the elapsed time to t=0 (step S202), and measures accelerations in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction with the acceleration sensor (X) 61, the acceleration sensor (Y) 62, and the acceleration sensor (Z) 63 built thereinto (step S203).

In the present procedures, it is assumed that the falling body 60 does not rotate, and lands onto the ground in a state of being released from the hand of the user 2. If the accelerations in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are respectively indicated by a_(x)(t), a_(y)(t), and a_(z)(t) as functions of time, a_(x)(t) and a_(y)(t) in the X direction and the Y direction are generated between t=0 and t=t₁ at which the falling body 60 lands, and become 0 (zero) when the falling body 60 lands. In addition, a_(z)(t) in the Z direction is substantially the same as the gravitational acceleration g and is constant in the vertical direction. The accelerations measured in the above-described way may be represented as graphs as illustrated in FIG. 15.

In the graphs of FIG. 15, a time point at which the falling body 60 is released from the hand is 0 (zero), and a time point at which the falling body 60 lands is t₁. In this case, if a distance over which the falling body 60 flows due to the wind on the XY plane is the flight distance L, and a distance over which the falling body 60 falls is the falling height h, the flight distance L is a double integral with respect to time of acceleration as in Equations (7) and (8).

$\begin{matrix} {L^{2} = {\left( {\int_{0}^{t_{1}}{\int_{0}^{t_{1}}{{a_{x}(t)}{dt}}}} \right)^{2} + \; \left( {\int_{0}^{t_{1}}{\int_{0}^{t_{1}}{{a_{y}(t)}{dt}}}} \right)^{2}}} & (7) \\ {h = {\frac{1}{2}{gt}_{1}^{2}}} & (8) \end{matrix}$

The accelerations in the X direction and the Y direction become 0 (zero) when the falling body 60 lands, but, actually, do not immediately become 0 (zero) since noise acceleration is generated due to bouncing or changing in a posture of the falling body 60. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 15, a predetermined acceleration in which a noise amount is taken into consideration is set as a threshold value α, and landing is regarded at the time point t=t₁ at which the accelerations in the X direction and the Y direction cross the threshold value α.

Therefore, in the procedures of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a_(x) (t) and a_(y)(t) are more than the threshold value α (step S205), and landing of the falling body 60 is determined. Specifically, in step S205, it is determined whether or not a_(x)(t) or a_(y)(t) is more than the threshold value α, and, in a case where a_(x)(t) or a_(y)(t) is more than the threshold value α (step S205: Y), the elapsed time is set to t=t+Δt (step S207), and the flow returns to step S203 in which the acceleration sensor (X) 61, the acceleration sensor (Y) 62, and the acceleration sensor (Z) 63 measure accelerations. In step S205, it is determined whether or not a_(x)(t) or a_(y)(t) is more than the threshold value α, and, in a case where a_(x)(t) or a_(y)(t) is less than the threshold value α (step S205: N), the flow proceeds to the next step S209 for computing a distance.

In step S209, the flight distance L and the falling height h of the falling body 60 are calculated according to the above Equations (7) and (8). The wind speed v is computed on the basis of the calculated flight distance L and falling height h (step S211). The computation (estimation) of the wind speed v may be performed as follows.

It is known that to what extent the falling body 60 flows due to a horizontal wind of the wind speed v can be computed by using parameters such as the flight distance L, the falling height h, and the wind speed v, by taking into consideration a shape or mass of the falling body 60 (casing), air resistance, or the like. The parameters are represented in a graph as illustrated in FIG. 16A. In the graph illustrated in FIG. 16A, a transverse axis expresses the flight distance L, and a longitudinal axis expresses a falling distance Z′ in the vertical direction. In the graph illustrated in FIG. 16A, a curve indicating a correlation between the flight distance L and the falling distance Z′ in the vertical direction is plotted for each wind speed v. Specifically, in the graph illustrated in FIG. 16A, curves of the wind speed v=5 m/s, the wind speed v=10 m/s, the wind speed v=15 m/s, the wind speed v=20 m/s, . . . , but the parameters have curves (not illustrated) for the respective wind speeds v, which are further subdivided.

The flight distance L and the falling height h in the vertical direction calculated in a case where the falling body 60 falls may be collated with the respective curves of the parameters, a curve corresponding to the flight distance L and the falling height h in the vertical direction may be found, and thus the wind speed v of the curve may be obtained as the wind speed v in a case where the falling body 60 falls. FIG. 16B exemplifies a case where a curve corresponding to the flight distance L and the falling height h in the vertical direction is the curve of the wind speed v=10 m/s through the collation.

Information regarding the wind speed v computed (estimated) in step S211 is converted (generated) into image data by the display processing portion 74, and is displayed on the display 76 as image information (step S213). In the wind speed measurement method of the present embodiment, a series of procedures is finished in step S213 of displaying the image data of the wind speed v on the display 76.

According to the wind speed measurement apparatus 200 and the wind speed measurement method using the wind speed measurement apparatus 200, it is possible to measure the wind speed v at the current location where the user 2 is located without using the anemometer 9 (refer to 1) or the like provided at a constant point. The wind speed measurement apparatus 200 can be implemented by a lightweight and compact configuration, and thus is not required to be installed on a large scale, and can be carried. Therefore, it is possible to easily measure the wind speed v.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-171532 filed Sep. 2, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hit ball direction teaching apparatus comprising: a target direction acquisition section that acquires a target hit ball direction; an environmental information acquisition section that acquires environmental information; at least one processing section that obtains a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information, and generates notification data of the delivery direction; and a display that performs a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data.
 2. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display displays the delivery direction.
 3. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an input section that inputs the target hit ball direction.
 4. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental information is at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction.
 5. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display displays at least one of the delivery direction, the wind speed, and the wind direction.
 6. The hit ball direction teaching apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a map data acquisition section that acquires map data, wherein the display displays the delivery direction and a map image based on the map data.
 7. A hit ball direction teaching method comprising: determining a target hit ball direction; acquiring environmental information; obtaining a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information; generating notification data of the delivery direction; and performing a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data.
 8. The hit ball direction teaching method according to claim 7, wherein the notification data is image data, and wherein, in the performing of a notification, the delivery direction is displayed on the basis of the image data.
 9. The hit ball direction teaching method according to claim 8, wherein the environmental information is at least one of a wind speed and a wind direction, and wherein, in the performing of a notification, at least one of the delivery direction, the wind speed, and the wind direction is displayed.
 10. The hit ball direction teaching method according to claim 9, further comprising: acquiring map data, wherein, in the performing of a notification, the delivery direction of a hit ball based on the image data, and a map image based on the map data are displayed.
 11. A hit ball direction teaching system comprising: a hit ball direction teaching apparatus including a target direction acquisition section that acquires a target hit ball direction, an environmental information acquisition section that acquires environmental information, a position information acquisition section that acquires position information, at least one processing section that obtains a delivery direction of a hit ball on the basis of the target hit ball direction and the environmental information, and generates notification data of the delivery direction, and a display that performs a notification of the delivery direction on the basis of the notification data; a position information output unit that outputs the position information of the hit ball direction teaching apparatus; and an environmental information output unit that detects environmental data and outputs the environmental data as the environmental information.
 12. The hit ball direction teaching system according to claim 11, wherein the display displays the delivery direction, the position information, and the environmental information. 